Mike Pike

Yup, I gotta go with 'the music's too loud' too. Man, talk about sounding like my father! Beyond the annoyance, I just find that the act of fishing contrasts too much with a heavy, strong, intense music track. I write radio ads for a living and music is a tool I use to 'set the mood.' I just don't see too many fishing senarios where fast intense music would be called for, other than maybe at a fishing tournament blast off. So, add me to the 'old and miserable' side!

I love all the 'beautiful people' they hire to surround the stage area to jump and cheer and dance. I'll bet most don't even know who's playing...

Really enjoying your winter carping posts, Rich. As popular as carp fishing is in Europe, I wonder if they carp fish in the wintertime over there? Or is it just for hardy Canadians!!! You just don't see any anglers posing with snow covered carp!

Wow, that's pretty impressive.

Good stuff Rich. You've uncovered a whole new winter sport. I was one of those who thought you couldn't catch carp in the winter. Very encouraging for those of us who like targeting 'em.

Nice stick Fang! My earliest ice fishing experiences( and best )were in a rental hut out of Big Bay Point fishing a traditional tip-up as you describe. You really can't improve on that design. And you can set it up so sensitively, the tip-up will even transmit the paniced movement of your minnows. Can't wait to get out on the big water, even if the season will be a short one on Simcoe this year.

Nice job, Rich. Funny how may carp angler put away the gear come fall, eh. Thanks for that post.

Were they like hand puppets? There was a shark, dolphin and a seagull or something?

Wow, that's great info GAA. It brings back memories because my folks had a place in North Port years ago( Chicopa Street ). They used to rent it out to people who went to the Warm Mineral Springs, back in the day. Anyhoo, I forgot all about those rivers out North Port way. They sound like terrific fisheries that I WISH I explored more when I used to visit there regularly. Thanks for that.

Oh and another thing, Stoty. If you like eating fish, there's a place between Venice and Nokomis, I believe, called 'Walt's Fish Market." Reeeeally afordable prices and a great selection. It's the first place I ever tried 'gator and it was delicious! Yup, you can actually get alligator and fries there!!! Back to the pier.. a lot of the 'regulars' went pretty basic, fishing with egg sinkers and a leader length of about a foot or two. Shrimp was the bait of choice. Bring a camera. The sunsets are amazing. And you'll probably see dolphins coming in close to shore. The fisherman never really liked 'em cuz they figured they spooked the fish. I thought they were pretty neat to see, though.

Goodluck on your trip down to FLA Stoty. Although I can't help you with any bass fishing lakes, I do know there is a nice pier to fish just a couple miles north of Venice. It's a place called Nokomis and there is a nice beach and pier there they call North Jetty Park. Check it out on Google Maps and you get nice directions and a good satallite shot. Although I haven't been there in years, I do remember catching lots of jacks and snappers. Also, when the season is right, I saw people catching drum as well. There used to be a little tackle shack right there that supplied folks with live shrimp, which on most days is the ticket off the pier. Nice easy way to fish and very close to Venice.

I dunno if it's fixable. I think it's just an old site that hasn't been updated in a few years. I'm thinking there has to be a more current or complete list of operators somewhere?

Carefull! That's a reeeeeally old link!!! I just checked the Lake Simcoe operators and there are a couple right off the bat that I know haven't been in business for years.

What a terrific report and pics Aaron! I can apprciate the trouble that it takes to get that camera out in those conditions and snap a pile of photos, organize and download 'em and then post and tell the story. Thanks for that. Lots of detail there and I think learned a thing or two!

Nope. Nada showin' up on this pc either.

Wow, what a great first outing! You're gonna have a tough time topping that one, Grant. Thanks for the post!

Pretty cool sighting Bob. I'll bet you get to see lots of neat wild birds up your way. And Spiel, I've never spotted any Waxwings in our fair city BUT I did see several of them out the window of where I work in Waterloo, so you never know...

Hey Photoz, why don't you just automatically re-new your Norton Anti-Virus every year on-line? I signed up so it's done automatically. ( Ooops. Ignore this post as I sent it just after you sent the post above ). I defer to Rick's expertise on computers, but I must say that we have Norton and work and I have it here and don't notice any slowness in my computer speed.

That's a great site Mistyriver1. I've got a couple of oldies displayed on my fireplace mantle and I'm gonna see if I can find out what they are on that site. So thanks for that. And a great story Lew!!!

I wish. They lost Saturday against Boston. So the World is not coming to an end. Although, the Leafs ARE putting some wins together...

Terrific find, Lunkerbasshunter. Thanks for that. Cogeco subscribers in Hamilton don't get WFN so this will keep me entertain for quite a while!!! Thank you.

Mmmmmmmm.. it very well might be just me then, eh? Guess I better begin the detective work. I hate computers...

And ya know, Beans, the thing that makes me think there might be something wrong with the site is the Rick's other site( the Niagara board )is also running slow. I'm not having any other surfing issues other than these two sites, which is why I thought I'd bring it up.

Just wanted to know if anyone else has been experiencing a slowness with the site these last few days or is it just me. Thanks for your responses.

Cogeco sucks in Hamilton too Rick! No WFN here either!!! Lots of channels with dog shows and ghost stories though... You suck Cogeco!